On Saturday, the 18th of July, the 11th edition of Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival came to a conclusion with a magnificent closing ceremony.

Honorary Vicious Cat award for lifetime achievement was received by the legendary German actor Udo Kier.

In our competition programs, the following awards were given:

-VICIOUS CAT for best feature film: Ghoul (Czech Republic, 2015, Petr Jákl)
 Special Mention: Idyll (Idila, Slovenia, 2015, Tomaž Gorkič)

-NOISY CAT for best music documentary: Morphine: Journey of Dreams (USA, Italy, 2014, Mark Shuman)

-SLAK'S VICIOUS CAT for best short film: Dead Hearts (Canada, 2014, Stephen W. Martin)

-MELIES D'ARGENT for best European fantastic short film: Loose Ends / Dernière formalité (Belgija, 2014, Stéphane Everaert)

-VICIOUS CAT WINE CHAMPION for best wine: Revolution, Tourist Farm Hlebec


The winning film of the Little Workshop of Horrors is Blood Snake 2: Revenge of the Two Brothers (Slovenija, 2015, Aron Horvath).

Petr Jákl

Milan Hlebec

Jury motivations:

- VICIOUS CAT (Jury: Richard Stanley, Jonathan English, Ivan Nedoh)

 For the main Vicious Cat award, this year saw a group of extremely impressive films, each with an exceptional quality which makes for a very difficult decision to choose one above the others. As always with film, its almost impossible to say this film is better than that. However, on taking into consideration the overall elements that are essential to a great film, the story, the characters and performances, the technical skills and perhaps, since this is a horror festival, just how scary the film is, we found that GHOUL was an exceptional work. Despite being a found footage story and the challenges this concept can provide, the film was convincing, passionate, riveting, and one of the scariest films we have had the pleasure of featuring at Grossman. We are delighted to award it this years Vicious Cat.

For IDYLL a special commendation.
As filmmaking develops around the world, with new trends and styles, one cannot give enough importance to new efforts in genre film-making, something we here at Grossman are particularly committed to. Therefore, it is with great respect and admiration, and even thanks, that we honor the work and special talent that went into making Slovenia's first ever horror film. We hope and believe this inspires others to continue on this path of horror and genre films from this country and we award it a special commendation at this year festival.

- NOISY CAT (Jury: Igor Vidmar, Igor Bašin, Matej Končan)

The documentary about one of the most important bands of the 90-ties, Bostonians Morphine, presents the whole genesis and evolution of its original sound as well as its internal creative dynamic through efective editing of the seminal archive material and the emotional but not sentimental testimonials by band members and the partner of Morphine leader and soul,the late Mark Sandman: it is a fitting document and tribute to a band that was a veritable alternative within the Nirvana-istic dominant rock alternative of the decade.

- SLAK'S VICIOUS CAT (Jury: Stjepan Hundić, Milan Todorović, Sakari Määttä)

 Good storytelling, acting, directing, camera work and production design on a level of a feature film from a perspective of children who are listening to their grandpa's bedtime story. Also puts human emotions in the very center of the horror fairy tale with a feelgood feeling at the end.

-MELIES D'ARGENT (Jury: Stjepan Hundić, Milan Todorović, Sakari Määttä)

 Very original and humourous aproach to fantastic comedy genre with characters and themes that everybody can relate to on a personal level. High production values and prolific acting lead to a unexpected ending. A well told story set in one room.